Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Scarfing gunwales

What's the typical angle for a scarf cut for joining wood to form gunwales on a McKenzie style drift boat? I'm looking to use Sapele or Mahogany.

Thanks,

Austin

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on November 26, 2013 at 5:37am

Austin: Newman and Anderson are right on the mark-make a jig and you can get perfect scarfs. If possible locate the scarfs more toward the bow or stern where there is less stress on the scarf. Look over your stock to find stuff with grain runout of 18 " or more. Anything less than that and you are pushing your luck. I have fitted 17' white oak inwales and outwales 1 1/2" x 5/8" with 24" runout without snapping one-but they are a real PITA for one man to fit.

Good Luck